Posted by opinionated on February 4, 2020, 10:14 pm, in reply to "Re: A Message"
Dee, my worthy opponent and if we ever meet in person, probably my friend, you're partly correct. There are people in their 40's who feel they are entitled just like this new batch. I'm not sure of your age but my guess is I have at least 20 years on you.
So allow me to throw out this generational divide.
I grew up in a relatively poor family. My dad delivered heating oil to homes and my mother worked in a dress shop. We never had anything "extra" but we did have food on the plate (sometimes nothing more than shit on a shingle) but we ate it or went hungry. At Christmas, we were each allotted a personal gift but had to share other gifts such as games. I saw my dad come home exhausted but still in good spirits. My mon was the rock of our family. No matter how tough things got, she stood tall and made us feel like we mattered.
Early in high school we were told we would have to get part time jobs to pay for things like clothes, gas for our junker cars and even insurance for said junkers. I worked two jobs, one at a grocery store and one at a gas station but I still managed to make good grades and play two sports. My brother did the same. My sister graduated with high honors and received an academic scholarship. My brother was a very good athlete and received an athletic scholarship. That's how they got to a second level education. I was a decent football player but not good enough for a D1 scholarship. Now, college wasn't off the charts expensive as it is now but I had to make a choice. Work my ass off and pay my way or not pursue a degree.
I went on to get a masters and a license to practice and I came out of school with what at that time was considered "scary" debt. My wife and I worked our butts off and bought a small home. We didn't have money for anything outside of day to day living expenses but we didn't walk away from debt, borrow ourselves deeper in debt or mooch off parents.
My dad always told me stay your path. The night before he died he told me, "stay your path". I didn't quit my profession and cry. I fought hard and built my business. I taught my kids to do the same. Today, I own several properties. I no longer drive junkers. Before I retired, I wore new suits to work. I never forgot where I came from, how I got there and the fact that I wanted my kids to learn the same lesson.
In short, it's not a generational thing. It's not an old fart telling others that I'm better than them. It's about setting a lifestyle that shows if you work hard, don't borrow yourself into a hole and stay your path, you can become anything you want in this country. It's called work ethic.
I'm not saying the generation you speak of are all lazy, shiftless kids. My kids are only 10 or 15 years older than this group. However, when I see them whining about how much college cost, whining about their first job not paying six figures, whining about not being able to afford a brand new car, it makes me want to puke. Work for it. Don't ask to have it given to you. Stay your path.
End of rant. Sorry for the length. I miss my parents and this was a tribute to them.
on February 4, 2020, 10:14 pm, in reply to "